Originated from a working-class family; attended gymnasium (until 1952); studied economics in the College of World Trade, Vienna; received doctorate (1957); entered state service as an employee of the Office of Federal Chancellor (1957-1959); joined the Austrian mission at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris (1959-1962); commercial attaché in the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (1962-1966); returned to Vienna to become private secretary to the Federal Chancellor Josef Klaus (1966-1969); consul-general in Los Angeles, U.S. (1969-1974); head of department, ministry of foreign affairs (1974-1978); permanent representative of Austria to the UN (1978-1982); ambassador to the United States (1982-1987); secretary general, ministry of foreign affairs (1987-1992); successfully stood as a candidate of the Austrian People's Party (Österreichische Volkspartei, ÖVP) for the presidential election in 1992; served as Bundespräsident from 8 Jul 1992 to 6 Jul 1992; reelected (1998); died in office. Biography source: [3]

Starting from 1996, health problems prevented Klestil from exercising the functions of Bundespräsident on a number of occasions. On 5 Jul 2004, he suffered heart attack and was hospitalized. At this point, the Bundeskanzler Wolfgang Schüssel temporarily assumed the functions of Head of State (5 Jul 2004 - 6 Jul 2004). Following the death of Klestil (23:33 6 Jul 2004), the Kollegium composed of three presidents of the Nationalrat took over.